My friend mentioned that she’s interested in revolvers. There are 2 basic types: single-action and double-action. Single-action revolvers are based on the old Colt “wild west” era. They’re much slower to shoot, load, & unload. Double-action revolvers are much more modern. You can cock the system if you want, or you can just pull the trigger. They usually swing open to load & unload. Rick’s Colt Python is a modern double-action. Double-action revolvers are generally more practical than the old-fashioned single-action revolvers.

If you’re interested in double-action revolvers, checkout the Ruger GP100 and SP101. I recommend 4.2 or 6 inch barrels. The GP100 is available in 22lr and 357 Mag. The GP100 is only available in 357 Mag. Note that a 357 Mag can also shoot 38 Special ammo*. The SP101 is smaller than the GP100, but the GP 100 holds more ammo. The SP101 weighs less and the GP100 weighs more (personal preference). I recommend a longer barrel. People often make the mistake of buying tiny revolvers as a ‘first gun’. (It is especially a cliche for guys to recommend tiny guns to women.) Then, people discover that tiny guns kick really hard. The extra weight from a longer barrel helps to “absorb” the recoil (not technically correct, but hard to explain***).

Generally speaking, Ruger revolvers are a little less pretty and a little cheaper than S&W, but the quality is still good. Ruger and S&W are the only companies I really trust for double action revolvers. (There are many good companies that build single-action revolvers, but Ruger is arguably the best). The Charter Arms revolvers are cheap but mediocre quality. I don’t know anything about the Armscor/RIA revolvers except they cost about $200. AVOID Cobra & RG! The old Colt revolvers were good quality, but are usually considered too collectible today. The Russian Nagant revolvers are really cheap and they do work, but the ammo is rare/expensive, and the Nagant is one of the worst-feeling guns I’ve ever held. I don’t know anything about the EAA Windicator. Taurus quality is hit-and-miss. Some people love their Taurus guns, and some hate them. If you want the best, look at S&W.

*In 1935, Remington took the old 38 Special cartridge, made it longer, added more gunpowder, and called it the 357 Magnum. The only difference is their length and gunpowder amount.

***Heavier guns technically do not kick less. The kick feels softer because it is slower. It’s like the difference between someone punching you and someone pushing you. The fast hit hurts, while the slow push just moves you without pain.

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About jurmond

'Jurmond' was the name of my first character in a homebrew D&D campaign. He was a gunslinger and tinker, creating and carrying strange weapons that belched fire and smoke. That was well over a decade ago but I still think of him whenever fiction and firearms collide, so it seems the perfect pen name for this project.

One Response to Intro to Firearms 4

I’ve owned a Colt Python 357 mag 4 inch and now a EAA Windicator 4 inch 357 mag . The EAA doesn’t look very pretty like my Colt but it goes bang every time I shoot it and handles any 38+P load and any 357 mag load I put in it. I’m not a purist nor do I consider myself an expert. But I know for myself it’s a great weapon for self defense.